EDITORIAL:Royal visit a showcase for the region

Thousands descended upon Greater Victoria this past weekend in a bid to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Joining them were Canada’s “first couple,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and other dignitaries.

Up to a thousand members of the media are expected during the week-long visit that while based here in Victoria will include visits to various West Coast communities and with people from various backgrounds. In Vancouver, the couple visited with Olympic athletes and Coast Guard, BC Ambulance and emergency officers, immigrant families, and others.

The publicity for Victoria and the region has already been significant – the U.S.-based, internationally read international People magazine included a story in advance of the visit, for example.

While such a visit also brings costs, for a region that relies significantly on the visitor market, the financial fall-out from the royal visit will likely be boon at a time when visitor numbers typically wane.

Local tourism experts suggest people could come from as far away as Toronto and far into the United States. Others will be taking in the visit from their living rooms, reading or viewing about our home – home to the royal family during their visit – via newspapers, magazines and television.

Estimates suggest each of these in-person visitors, media and royal watchers alike, is expected to spend some $500 a day.

The value beyond that in terms of exposure, for the region and all it has to offer, will take time to measure, but like other “world stage” events like the 2010 Olympics, the benefits will likely be far reaching indeed.